Farm

Turkey Range Access and Natural Behaviour Welfare

Turkeys farmed with outdoor range access show better welfare outcomes but require careful management of health risks and predator pressure.

Key Facts

Commercial turkeys have been selectively bred for very rapid growth causing skeletal and cardiovascular problems
Outdoor access reduces stereotypies and allows foraging and social behaviour expression
Pastured turkey systems have lower antibiotic use than intensive indoor systems
Heavy breed turkeys cannot mate naturally and require artificial insemination

Welfare Considerations

Confinement in intensive indoor systems prevents natural behaviour and causes boredom and aggression. Breed-related welfare problems persist across all production systems. Welfare improvements require both housing reform and breed selection change.

What You Can Do

Choose free-range or pastured turkey products from welfare-certified producers
Advocate for slower-growing turkey breeds in welfare certification standards
Support research on turkey welfare indicators and breed reform